Crickets!

This weekend we took our camper trailer out to Mineral Mountain. We started up the dirt road and soon we could see little dark spots on the road. I didn't think anything of it for a while. Then I realized they were mormon crickets. I started having flash backs of girls camp those many years ago. Crickets dive bombing your hair from the trees. Crickets crawling up your pant legs while you walk. Crickets creeping and screeching all around you. I started to shudder.
Despite my fears and feeble attempts at talking my husband into driving an extra hour to another campground, we set up camp. The boys started a search for crickets and watched them for a while. Then Dad pointed out to the boys that if they touched the crickets, they would screech and run away. That was the beginning of the greatest game ever! The boys walked from cricket to cricket poking each and watching them scream and hop. Lucky for me I got to sit in my camp chair and when a cricket came too close for comfort I would call out and the boys would come and scare them away.
The rest of the trip was enjoyable. Josh actually slept in his own sleeping bag ...most of the time. Boston had his usual episode of sleep talking and bossing Remington in his sleep. We hiked up the mountain looking for quarts crystals without much luck. Then we happened upon a geologist who spent an hour showing us how and where to dig. We found lots of rocks that the boys thought looked "so cool." They ended up with all their pockets filled with rocks and they walked all the way back to the truck tugging at their pants trying to keep them up.

What is your treasure?

This past weekend we went to Grandpas house and Remington's dreams came true! Dad and Grandpa built him a real treasure chest.

There is something so exciting about having a secret under lock and key! Both Remington and Boston have been finding special little items to put in their treasure chests only to doubt the value and remove it an hour later.

So we decided to learn the value of a treasure.
First... the pirate loot!!! Oh, they were so excited to have MONEY in their treasure chests! Just think of all the CHOCOLATE that could buy me! Oops.. I mean, think of all the candy and toys they could have!

Then we opened up another treasure. Our family! The Savior Jesus Christ! The Temple! Scriptures! Our family Memories!

They were more curious about this treasure than the money and shiny jewelry. They immediately discovered the difference in value. Our family and the gospel of Jesus Christ are definitely a treasure to keep safe and secure. Whereas, the money, though exciting, is something that would be used and would soon be gone.

Since they were struggling to find something worthy of keeping for a long period of time, we gave them each a special journal to draw and record memories. They couldn't wait to start drawing and were coming up with ideas of special moments to record, starting first with watching dad and grandpa make them their treasure chests.

Now, quietly the treasures sit nestled carefully under their beds as they sleep, keeping the time they have spent with their family safe.

More Mommy Moments

Just a quick update of my favorite mommy moments as of late.

Josh is becoming more of a little guy, giving hugs, waving and trying to stand up by himself. The most cutest thing he does is when you ask for kisses he leans in and touches his forehead to your lips. So precious, I love it!

A little while ago Boston was playing stunt devil on (or should I say off) the couch. It was making us nervous. He isn't the most sure footed boy... Dad said, "Boston stop jumping off the couch or you will crack your head." Boston was disappointed and looked a little puzzled too. Then after a few minutes, he was standing above Dad on the couch inspecting his bald spot and asked "Dad, did you crack your head?"

Boston and Remington have invented a new game called "Microwave." Every time they get bored waiting for meal time they take turns pretending to be the microwave "vrooooooming" very loudly. So, it's not uncommon for me to hear Boston yelling "Okay, okay, now it's my turn to be the microwave. Push the button! BEEP BEEP! BEEEEEEP! VRRRROOOOOOOM"

Creations

Remington has recently become my little inventor. He is constantly thinking of things that he can build. It all started in November when Ryan decided to make me a fancy necklace for Christmas. Remington was always watching him. He started thinking and came up with idea after idea.

When I say he is thinking constantly, I mean every second. When I am helping him with homework, he will finish writing one thing and daze off. When I try to get him focused he has to explain the ins and outs of his newest invention he has come up with during the previous 10 seconds.

Then every time we have an empty box he hurries and grabs it before I can throw it away. He is always asking little questions that make me wonder what what he is up to, like "how do you make glass stuff?" or "is this made out of plastic?"

I am finding the possibilities are endless with cardboard. I am starting to think that if he keeps it up he will invent something in the next few years that will make us millions!

His ideas and inventions as of late are...

A humane spring loaded cereal box mouse trap.

A variety of crayon and paper holders.

A rough cardboard version of a gps.

A cardboard magnifying glass.

A cardboard race track for his hot wheels.

A rhinestone necklace for mom.

A map of where we are going on our errands for the day.

And various types of apparel and accessories in designer cardboard.

One of the best is his superhero mask he made today!

Kids say the darnedest things

It is often said that "kids say the darnedest things." Well, lately I have been noticing the silly little things my boys have been saying and thought they would make a great blog post.

As we drove up into our driveway after visiting with family across town, Remington said, " Oh mom, I thought you were already inside doing the dishes."

When we were at a birthday party recently, we turned off the lights to sing happy birthday and Boston interrupted the party with "I can't see! ...I can't see anything! ...Where did I go?!!"

While driving to the store Remington asked so hopefully, "Mom, next time we move, can we move to the lighthouse?"

One night, after telling Remington that he couldn't take out the rings that held a book together, he said, "Mom, when you are sleeping I will come and watch you and make sure you are sleeping. Then I will sneak downstairs and get these rings." (such an honest boy)

When Boston was climbing all over Dad's lap trying to see what was on the computer he paused and started to get worried. "Dad! Your nose has hair in it!"

Random Moments of Happiness

I am a mom, therefore I get frustrated and impatient quite often. Even though things get stressful at times, I feel blessed to have little moments in my life that make me realize what is really important. These moments make me smile, laugh, and thank my Heavenly Father for my boys. So, I thought I would list some of the little things my boys do that make me smile on a regular basis. (Some of these may sound sarcastic, but they really do make me smile.)

My boys busting out some hip-hop dance moves every time I turn up the music.

Their universal scamper when they are excited to go somewhere.

The request for mommy snuggle time.

The nightly hugs and kisses from boys that are mandatory or else the world will fall apart.

The fact that it takes 20 minutes to read through one short childrens book because they are so curious about everything on each page.

The wonderful communication that we have when one of us is busy and seems to be tuned out. "Mom, mom, mom (moving closer to my face), mom, mom... (eye contact) mom did you know.." "Boston will you... (no response) Boston, Boston... Boston, look at me.. (eye contact) will you put that in the sink."

When they get the giggles while riding in the car.

When they randomly sing primary songs while they play with their toys.

The first (and every) heartfelt "I love you mom."

The first smile and first random question of the day when they are getting out of the bed.

The look of excitement on their faces when they get to help bake a cake.

The fact that they will fight over who gets to scrub the sink or sweep the floor. Then adamantly refuse to pick up their toys.

The look of awe on Josh's face when he experiences something new. For example, splashing the bath water or crinkling a candy wrapper.

The thrill my boys get from watching their favorite (memorized) movie in Spanish.

The list goes on... And the laughter too!

My Baby

It is about time that I blog about my littlest little boy. My little Josh is my miracle baby. There were times, during my pregnancy, that it was uncertain if I would ever get to hold him. So you can imagine my joy everyday when I get to cuddle him. He is perfect! He is my sweet little guy and I love his happy little smile. I really don't know what our family would do with out him. He fits right in with the other little mischievous personalities in our home. I am such a lucky mom!

This weekend I went out of town for a girls weekend and left the boys to hangout with Dad. When it got close to bed time I received a call from Boston saying in a sad voice, over and over, that he needed me.

Later that evening Ryan told me that Remington had said when he thinks of me he can smell my coat and it smells like white chocolate. That boy knows his mom so well!

The best moment was when I returned home. I walked in the door and my little Josh squealed with excitement and scooted over to me as fast as he could. When I picked him up he latched on to my neck, giggled, buried his head in my shoulder and wouldn't let go. He couldn't stop giggling for the next half hour. It was so cute! It made my heart melt!

My boys are wonderful! I love their tenderness! I love their curiosity! I am in debt to my Heavenly Father for blessing me with them.